--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Lovers must not, like usurers, live for…" description: "\"“Lovers must not, like usurers, live for themselves alone. They must finally turn from their gaze at one another back toward the community. If they had..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/362/wendell-berry-236_love_lovers-must-not-like-usurers-live-for-th_216496.jpg" --- # Lovers must not, like usurers, live for themselves alone… ![“Lovers must not, like usurers, live for themselves alone. They must finally turn from their gaze at one another back toward the community. If they had only themselves to consider, lovers would not need to marry, but they must think of others and of other things. They say their vows to the…” quote by Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/362/wendell-berry-236_love_lovers-must-not-like-usurers-live-for-th_216496.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/362/wendell-berry-236_love_lovers-must-not-like-usurers-live-for-th_216496.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/362/wendell-berry-236_love_lovers-must-not-like-usurers-live-for-th_216496.jpg) > ““Lovers must not, like usurers, live for themselves alone. They must finally turn from their gaze at one another back toward the community. If they had only themselves to consider, lovers would not need to marry, but they must think of others and of other things. They say their vows to the community as much as to one another, and the community gathers around them to hear and to wish them well, on their behalf and its own. It gathers around them because it understands how necessary, how joyful, and how fearful this joining is. These lovers, pledging themselves to one another "until death," are giving themselves away, and they are joined by this as no law or contract could join them. Lovers, then, "die" into their union with one another as a soul "dies" into its union with God. And so here, at the very heart of community life, we find not something to sell as in the public market but this momentous giving. If the community cannot protect this giving, it can protect nothing...”” [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Lovers should view their bond as a contribution to the wider community, not just a private contract, making love a public, protective act. **In simple terms:** Love is a shared, community‑focused commitment. Key Takeaway Treat love as a communal responsibility. Themes love community commitment interdependence spirituality Mood reflective hopeful serious Type philosophical inspirational social When to use this quote - marriage ceremonies - community gatherings - council meetings - faith rituals Key Concepts social contract self‑sacrifice collective identity Questions to Reflect On - How does community support strengthen personal relationships? - What responsibilities do lovers have to society? A Different Perspective If the community fails to protect this giving, love may become isolated and vulnerable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Lovers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lovers/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) ## Related quotes > [If they had only themselves to consider, lovers would not need to marry, but they must think of others and of other things. 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They say their vows to the community as much as to one another, and the community gathers around them to hear and to wish them well, on their behalf and its own. It gathers around them because it understands how necessary, how joyful, and how fearful this joining is. These lovers, pledging themselves to one another \"until death,\" are giving themselves away, and they are joined by this as no law or contract could join them. Lovers, then, \"die\" into their union with one another as a soul \"dies\" into its union with God. And so here, at the very heart of community life, we find not something to sell as in the public market but this momentous giving. 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